20

Hyun

Hyun stared out at the sea, watching the waves lap at the shoreline. It had been months since his arrival at Bellasea, and yet the view still never failed to remind him of his home village. The familiar constant smell of salt, fish, and brine in the air helped bring back memories of his once simple life. He had grown up in Laoalay, a coastal village located in the southeast of Ioyari. The village had profited off the sea, each family making their way of life with some connection to the waters. His own father had been a fisherman, and his mother had worked at the market to sell off the catches of the previous day. He was the oldest of three children, and it had been his responsibility to help take care of his two younger siblings by maintaining their home. He would clean and cook while his parents were away the entire day, never once complaining about his lot in life. He enjoyed the quietness of the rural life even if others continuously told him they foresaw something better in store for him. Now here he was, far away from the life he could at times barely remember. The people at Bellasea were welcoming and friendly enough, especially Warren and Seberga, but nothing could compare to the family he missed deeply. When he watched the people around him interact with each other, it reminded him of the close-knit bonds between the families in his town – everyone knew each other, and everyone took care of each other. The only difference is that in his hometown, he knew it was genuine, there was no underlying politic gain waiting between each building relationship. When a favor was done for another, there was no expectation for anything in return. But outside of his village...life was not so simple. At least the people and his family had cared about him, Hyun, the boy. Over here, nobody did, he knew this. They all cared for Nymerik, only saw the Prince instead of the boy. His entire world had been spun upside down since their Bonding. He wasn’t just Seo Hyun anymore but Hyun, dragon-flyer of Nymerik.

Nymerik.

The rarest dragon in the world considering he was the only Prince in known existence. Any fortress would fight to have him, and anyone would dream to be Bonded to him. He scowled, anger settling in as he thought about how people only viewed Nymerik as an object to obsess over, to want, and have and control. His hands clenched tightly before he remembered that he was still holding a piece of parchment. He quickly smoothed out the wrinkled parchment, rereading it for the tenth time.

Hyun,

I hope this letter finds you well. Much has happened here since your departure. Godrick and Sibilla have just left the fortress. I know you must be upset upon missing it. There is no time to mourn losses, however. Priyana is going to fly her first mating flight soon, no later than by the end of this week if the rumors are to be believed. You must make it back here before then or it’ll be too late. You know the real reason Ralph has sent you away. I don't know when this letter should reach you, but I hope it makes it to you in time. Leave as soon as you receive it.

Best Regards,

General Commander Lucian

Every time he read its contents, it never failed to settle a deep frown across his face. He had missed his mentor’s departure, couldn’t even pay him one final respectful salute. Now, he stood to miss out on a lot more.

Like Denali.

Hyun could readily admit he had somewhat of a crush on the girl and not entirely because of Godrick’s meddling. His mentor had told him to befriend her, get to know her well, and test their compatibility himself. It would be important should Nymerik fly Priyana. He had done as instructed, being near Denali whenever he could and building a steady, solid friendship. Little did Godrick know that he and Denali had met already in the east, at Rajin Fortress. They hadn’t been friends then, just aware of each other’s mutual existence thanks to them both being in the same fortress for a few years. But over the time they had both been at Dragonspire together, they had built a mutual friendship based on respect and trust. She didn’t treat him as a way of getting to Nymerik or ignore his presence in favor of his dragon's, but rather as a person who had his own thoughts, feelings, and personality outside of his Bonded. Maybe it was because of her own life experiences, fighting against being treated as an object or tool by her family and those around her. She understood his need to be more than what the world perceived him to be because she felt the same way. It was only natural then that he would develop a crush on her over time, feeling an immense amount of connection and empathy towards her. He didn't ever want her to experience what she had told him she had gone through. With no agency, no control over her own life, her own body even. He had swore to himself internally that he would be there to protect her, support her, and perhaps one day earn her love and consent to be together. Now he had been forced to leave her side thanks to that scheming bastard, Ralph.

His frown deepened into a scowl. If he had had more time, he could have forged more connections and earn the respect of the fortress for being more than just the flyer of a Prince. He’d have been able to challenge Ralph, perhaps even demand a duel and kill the man. Rid the world of him forever. It wouldn't be entirely out of line with what he had been sent there to do originally, what they had trained him to do for three years after taking him from his village.

‘You’re letting your emotions control you again.’

Hyun sighed, rubbing his eyes with one hand. On one hand, he understood Nymerik’s insinuation, on the other, he couldn’t believe his dragon out of anyone was telling him this.

‘Ralph needs to be knocked down a peg, or three. Or even just flat out removed from existence. If not in banishment from the fortress, then banishment from life,’ he finally replied.

‘In due time,’ Nymerik lazily replied.

'It can't come soon enough.' Hyun closed his eyes, tracing Nymerik’s location, willing the image of his dragon to appear in his head.

There. On the coastal sands, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Rotating his body around leisurely, enjoying the scratch of the sand against his dark scales. At least one of them was currently enjoying themselves. He was about to comment on the growing laziness of his Bonded when the sound of someone approaching drew his attention away from his dragon.

“I figured I would find you here,” a deep voice spoke. He turned, facing the Chief of Bellasea Fortress.

Warren’s blonde hair blew across his face under the sea breeze’s force and his pale, blue eyes were currently lidded against the sun.

“Are you ever going to shave that off?” Hyun said, gesturing towards the mess of facial hair twisting around the man’s smiling mouth.

“I quite like it. Gives me a rugged look according to Seberga,” he said, winking at the boy.

Warren and Seberga had been very accommodating since his arrival at Bellasea. They had checked in with him often, even watching Ezio train him every now and then. The regime was a bit lax, which he informed the pair at several points during breaks between the training sessions, but otherwise acceptable. The three had exchanged looks before sharing a laugh at the boy when he had brought it up.

“Well, of course it is boy! We’re happy-go-lucky sea-faring folk! We don’t have a care in the world, we just want to enjoy our beaches,” Warren had replied to his concerns.

Seeing him now, in his shorts and open shirt, stroking his tangled sun-bleached beard in sandals of all things, Hyun could finally acknowledge that the Chief of Bellasea was indeed an ultimate representation of that.

'He is the very picture of what you were about to call me.' The laughter of his dragon after the statement caused Hyun to choke back his own laugh, coughing into his hand instead.

“Enjoying the view?” Chief Warren asked, interrupting the pair as he nodded out towards the crashing waves against the distant shore.

“It reminds me of my village,” he replied, his gaze also returning towards the sea.

Warren nodded his head. “All my life I was born and raised here in this fortress. I’ve never known another home. Some may consider me lucky, but I think my life lacks the spice of adventure and action.”

Hyun tilted his head. “Are you saying you wish that perhaps you had come from another land? Or had experienced another lifestyle?”

“Don’t we all?” Warren asked cheerfully in return. “News from your fortress?”

Hyun looked down at the scrap of paper that the man had pointed towards, unfurling it again slowly. “They wrote to tell me of Chieftess Sibilla’s retirement after the results of the Enthronement. General Commander Godrick too. They departed for the Elysium Isles five days ago, if this letter was written and sent out the same day. Priyana will be flying soon. Lucian Lyons has also assumed the General Commander position.” It was a short but efficient summary of the contents of the letter.

'That means Nythointan is also gone.'

'And Seberga,' Hyun replied.

Warren continued to stroke his beard, staring off into the distance with a rather forlorn look. “You know, I knew Godrick well. A good man. One who really wanted to incite change. Him and Sibilla both.” He chuckled. “A good pair, really. But changing hundreds of years of laziness? Impossible by two people, especially when one is robbed of their position.”

Now this drew his full attention back towards the man. “’Robbed?’” he repeated.

“I’m sure you know what I'm referring to. Godrick being snubbed from the Chief position by Ralph. It was an unfortunate and unforgettable moment for those of us who witnessed or heard of it. Most of us were rightfully outraged on his behalf.”

“Wouldn’t you say that he was simply outclassed? He fell into Ralph’s trap and paid the consequences for it.”

Warren squinted at him, and Hyun suddenly felt that maybe he shouldn’t have spoken so bluntly, Nymerik agreeing. While he had a deep respect and admiration for Godrick, he never considered the event that had occurred years ago as a terrible thing and certainly not a "robbery." Godrick wasn't entitled to being the Chief of Dragonspire Fortress any more than the other competitors. When it came to competing, he understood the cutthroat need to do anything to put yourself on top. Call it the fight for survival or his eastern upbringing, but he respected Ralph’s cunningness and willingness to do whatever it took to remain on top–even if he was on the receiving end of it this time.

“The Codex is are written code of honor. We dragon-flyers are supposed to be the embodiment of honor and respect, following our guiding foundation,” Warren finally replied. “To behave dishonorably and to obtain things dishonestly, well, that’s a blemish that isn’t easily removed. Even worse, it stains all dragon-flyers in the eyes of the general folk. We aren't trying to give them anymore reason to view us negatively.”

“I understand your viewpoint. But Godrick was sent out on an urgent mission. Shegil had to rise. How is it anyone’s fault? The circumstances are unfortunate and should be considered the fault of poor timing, not completely relegated a young man who, granted is very cunning, but ultimately cannot influence the rise of a Queen. Nor can Godrick who, at the time was Chief, ignore the urgency of his mission.”

“What if he can?”

'Careful. You're going to reveal too much,' Nymerik cautioned the boy.

But Hyun didn't miss a beat. “I think we are again forgetting that Ralph was younger with little to no power as a Bonded dragon-flyer, and definitely little-to-no experience in politics. He was part of a squad doing basic training regimens.”

“You know so much for only being there for what, a year? A year and a half at most? So, tell me. Why is your viewpoint, which you've shared so easily and openly with me mind you, so contradictory to the general public's? Do you have intimate knowledge of the matter, unknown to I and others?”

Hyun did not miss the creeping sharpness in the tone nor the increased urgency of the warning signals that Nymerik had been sending him as he continued to eavesdrop on their conversation. He had been lax with his tongue, comfortable enough in Warren’s presence to be more forthright. If the general public for the most part had the same mentality, anyone going against it would naturally stir up interest and suspicion. Not to mention he had easily planted the idea that he did indeed know more than most others in the world regarding the situation. Even if it was true, he couldn't very well say that he knew everything intimately because spies had reported every instance of the event to those at Rajin. That the fortress had aided Ralph in this by creating an “urgent mission" that required Godrick's presence? That Ralph, like himself and even Denali to an extent, were all sent to the west on different missions but with the same idea?

“They want me to return the same day I got this letter,” Hyun carefully said, moving to change the topic. It would not do to anger the Chief of Bellasea Fortress. He needed allies, not enemies and he doubted Warren would look favorably upon him if he accidentally revealed the truth in his thoughts just now should they carry on this topic.

“The distance between the two fortresses on dragon is only three hours. Are you leaving right this very instant?”

Hyun nodded his head. Even if he arrived too early, he would take that over being too late. “Should I succeed, I sadly don’t believe I’ll be returning here.” He gave an apologetic smile, spreading his hands. “Please don’t consider me too unfavorably if that should happen.”

Warren laughed at this before replying, “I enjoyed our six months together Hyun, flyer of Nymerik. Don’t forget to say goodbye to everyone. Remember, while I may not have been able to fulfill the physical aspect of your training, much to your very loud regret, I have taught you how to verbally spar and navigate the political circle. Consider this conversation our last lesson.”

“Thank you for your teachings.” Hyun bowed formerly, a remnant of his eastern upbringing that he refused to give up. Regardless of his station, it was how he best communicated respect to the other person. It was one of the few customs he clung to.

He walked past the older man, already beginning to formulate a plan. There was much to do if he wished to succeed.

“One more thing,” Warren called out to his retreating form. He turned, looking at the back of the man who had moved to take his spot by the wall overlooking the sea. “Earlier, I could tell you felt uncomfortable with the conversation and doubted yourself, changing the topic because you knew you revealed more than you had wished to. For all my own thoughts and feelings on the manner, I don't want you to suddenly refrain from speaking openly and honestly. From what I've seen of you, you embody much of the core values of a dragon-flyer. Don’t start changing that now.”

Hyun had expected the invisible weight weighing on his shoulders to be removed by this acknowledgement, but he only felt it grow heavier. For it was through deception he had spoken honestly.

*~*

Denali awoke with a start to her heart beating fast, her body bathed in a light sheen of sweat. She put her hand to her chest, wondering what was going on. As she looked to her left, she saw that the early rays of the morning sun had reached her balcony where Priyana lay, sleeping peacefully. The Queen had reached her full size of one hundred-and-eighty feet, putting her as not only the largest dragon in Dragonspire Fortress but the entire world. That is until whenever Hyun would inform her of the next new update on Nymerik’s size. Denali let a smug sense of satisfaction wash over her. ‘The reactions of the fortress on Priyana’s growth over the year had been music to her ears. She loved the adoration they had for her beautiful dragon and it wasn't even just at Dragonspire. Priyana had captivated the entire world. Was this the power of Bonding with a Queen? Or was it because the Queen was Priyana?

Ignoring her own rising discomfort, she slid out of bed and went to check on her dragon. As she drew near, a frown marred her pretty features as she noticed the uneven breathing of Priyana and the unusual noises coming from her.

“Priyana,” she called gently but the dragon did not stir. Worried, she placed her hand on Priyana’s snout, calling out to her again. Priyana simply shifted under her touch but did nothing else.

‘Priyana!’ Denali finally shouted through their telepathic bond.

A pause, then came an indignant reply, ‘You don’t need to shout.’

‘Is something wrong?’

Priyana opened the eye closest to Denali whose breath was stolen at the beauty of it, the facets catching the light of the sun and sparkling. Like a beautiful ruby gem, she thought, captivated.

‘I feel an itch within me that needs to be scratched. I feel full of energy, but also angry. I feel the need to tease and take, seduce, and submit. Most importantly of all, I feel hungry. I need to eat.’

Denali stared at her dragon in wonder. Now she knew what this was all about. The sleepy fog that had shrouded her brain had finally dissipated under these new revelations.

Priyana was ready to rise.

“Oh, my beautiful girl! It’s time!” she shouted in excitement. “I must let the others know! We must prepare for your rise!” With one final pat on the snout, she hurried from the balcony and to her door where she was sure she'd meet her ladies. Their startled expressions as she threw open the door right before they were about to knock would have been an enjoyable experience had she not been preoccupied with other matters.

“Good morning Chieftess Denali,” Gina ventured, always first of the three, but Denali quickly clasped the other girl’s hands, silencing her into shock.

“Indeed, it is a good morning, Gina! I have wonderful news. Priyana is going to fly! You must let Chief Ralph and the Council, no, let everyone know! Everyone must know that their Queen is to rise!”

Marigold and Eri’s mouths dropped open upon hearing the news. Gina, however, quickly took control. “Of course, Chieftess Denali! We’ll depart at once! Congratulations on this most auspicious day!” She curtsied quickly and left, dragging the other two with her while issuing rapid fire instructions.

Denali retreated into her room, quickly dressing herself before attending to her now fully awake Queen. Through their bond, she could sense the unrest, hunger, and need within Priyana. She thought quickly back to her training and how she was told to prepare Priyana when the time rose.

“Now, listen Priyana,” she began, placing both hands on the dragon’s wedge-shaped head and forcing her to look at her. “You cannot eat heavily, or you’ll become heavy. You don’t want to be slow in the skies when being pursued,” she warned.

‘I will eat as I see fit,’ Priyana replied, images of sheep and cattle being devoured endlessly by her filling Denali’s mind.

“No! Do you want to just let any dragon catch you? You must be in your best condition!”

Priyana shook her head free, her wings spreading out to show her displeasure.

A knock on the door distracted Denali from her stubborn Queen. She barely called for them to enter when the door was thrown wide open, and Ralph strode in. He took in the sight, excitement lighting up his dark eyes. She frowned internally. She knew that excitement was not for her or the Queen but rather his now burgeoning opportunity.

“My dear Chieftess!” he cried out, hurrying over to her. “And our beautiful Queen! Indeed, you look so magnificent this morning!”

As the sun shone high in the sky, Priyana’s beauty shone alongside it. She had always considered Priyana to be the most beautiful dragon in existence, but on the day of her flight, it was cemented fully. Her scales shone brilliantly and there was this soft golden glow about her that screamed vitality and power. Her glowing red eyes were now a growing shade darker than their original color, like garnets instead of rubies.

Priyana preened under his compliments, spreading her wings further and extending her long neck. She looked at Denali, the smugness evident within her eyes and Bond. ‘See, this man knows.’

“Chief Ralph,” Denali greeted, turning his attention towards her. “I was just informing Priyana of how she cannot eat heavily though she is resisting me mightily.”

Ralph frowned at the news, looking at her with thinly veiled annoyance. “It is your job as her Bonded to enforce your will. She cannot eat. She should only bleed her kill.”

She frowned in return, narrowing her eyes at him. “Indeed, we wouldn’t want to make the competition too easy now. Predictable outcomes are incredibly boring.”

They stared at each other. While they were forced together since Denali’s succession of Sibilla, that did not mean she had to get along with him. She respected the man’s cunningness but underneath that respect was also wariness and a distaste for the man’s personality in general. Despite his attempts to get closer, intimate even, she had rebuked him on all accounts privately. Publicly, she hid her disgust for the man behind a polite smile. She wasn’t unfamiliar with dealing with unsavory individuals. A Chief and a Chieftess must present themselves as a united front, she thought, referring to one of the many repeated lessons enforced upon her. But she needn’t have fret so much over it. She was safe from him, until Priyana’s first flight. If Mazanth succeeded in flying Priyana, Ralph would have rights to her bed. Rights she could try to deny in private but be forced to acknowledge aloud. She would be barred from having another relationship with anyone else, until Priyana’s next flight.

“Take her to the feeding grounds and keep her on a tight reign. I must go and prepare Mazanth.” He turned on his heel and left, not even bothering to close the door behind him.

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“Priyana, if nothing else, do not let Mazanth fly you,” she murmured, turning back to her Queen with pleading eyes. “Do not subject us to them.”

‘In flight, under instincts, I have no true control,’ Priyana replied almost apologetically. ‘It will be what it will be.’

Denali understood the truth in her words. Regardless of what the pair may want, it was whichever dragon caught Priyana at the end of the day. She could try to maneuver herself to a more favorable candidate, but her instincts would be controlling her throughout the entire flight. She would be entirely unfocused on who was who and why, at the time, it mattered which dragon flew her. Ultimately, she’d succumb to whoever was closest at the time.

“I guess we are all slaves to our instincts,” Denali mused. “Which is even more reason you should bleed your kill instead of feasting. You’ll only be giving the edge to Mazanth. Come now, let us go to the feeding grounds.”

When the pair arrived at the field, there was already a herd of cattle in place right in the middle. Priyana let out a guttural cry, true excitement lacing through their Bond as she descended upon the frightened herd. She could hardly wait for Denali to dismount, shaking her body to and fro as her eyes remained locked on her prey. Denali was not focused on the herd of cattle or her dragon however, but at the considerable number of male dragons in attendance, some with their flyers and some without. There seemed to be a deep rumbling emitting from them as they all fixated their eyes on the new Queen that had wasted no time in finding her first kill as soon as her feet had touched the grass.

In truth, she was absolutely stunned at the turnout.

She had never witnessed such an awe-inspiring moment. Both with the male dragons who were rumbling like when Priyana had hatched to how she was currently feasting. She had seen the Queen eat many times, but this was different. This was more primal. She was so enraptured by the vision that she had forgotten to hold Priyana from gorging. When the Queen had begun to tear into the third cattle after devouring the first two, Ralph’s sharp cry to reign her in rung out from the gathering crowd.

She jerked from her frozen position, instantly clamping onto the Bond.

‘Bleed, Priyana, do not eat!’

Priyana resisted her words, dropping her head down and opening her jaws wide to devour the dead cow whole. Denali hated to force her will on the dragon, but she had no choice. The Bond seemed to grow taunt between the pair as she held the will of the Queen down with her own iron will.

Though Priyana resisted for a few more minutes, her hunger and impatience eventually capitulated her to her flyer’s will and she merely bled her second kill, moving on to the other cows quickly. Denali did not dare release her hold on the dragon however, her focus entirely on the Bond, their senses becoming so entwined that she swore she tasted blood in her mouth and the hot feel of flesh pressing against her face. She didn’t notice when Ralph had come to stand by her, one hand gripping her arm to keep her upright. She didn’t notice when the rumblings of the male dragons grew louder and louder as Priyana worked her way through the herd, nearly finished with her feast. She didn’t notice when the other flyers who were contending for Chief had come to stand beside her as well, anticipation written across their faces as they licked their lips.

“Soon, she will go, and you will too,” Ralph whispered in her ear. He didn’t know if she could hear him, but he spoke to her anyways. “When she flies, the world will fall away from your own feet. But you cannot succumb to what happens here in the field for all to see. You must go to your chambers now, quickly!”

Denali heard him faintly in her head, but she was too entwined with Priyana to formulate a response. When a rough hand grabbed her own, she thought it to be Ralph’s at first. The hand tugged on hers, guiding her away from the field. She felt as if she was having an out of body experience, watching from afar as her body was dimly led away.

“I will lead you back Chieftess Denali,” a familiar voice said but it sounded realms away. She recognized the voice still, however. It was Gina’s. She could entrust herself to Gina, she knew this. She tried to squeeze the girl’s hand in understanding and reassurance, but her hand would not obey her command. She couldn’t keep her focus any longer, succumbing completely to her Bond with Priyana, unaware of the rising agitation of the other male dragons and the darkening fury on Ralph’s face.

*~*

Hyun knew he had arrived just barely in time when he saw the vast number of male dragons gathered at the feeding grounds.

‘Priyana must be feeding. It’ll only be a matter of time before she rises. We must hurry Nymerik!’ he said to his dragon as they soared through the skies.

Nymerik acknowledged what was said but did not respond to the urgency of his flyer. A sense of dissatisfaction seemed to grow inside of him. He had just flown from one fortress to another and now was expected to compete against other male dragons who were surely rested and fed well enough for the flight ahead of them. This wasn’t a disadvantage necessarily for the dragon, he knew he could compete just fine. It was simply the audacity of the situation that truly caused his dissatisfaction.

Hyun knew that Nymerik was not happy with the situation, but there wasn’t much they could do about it. What he could promise his dragon was that Ralph would not be allowed to get the upper hand of them ever again and that was a thought that placated both flyer and dragon.

As they flew past the fortress, Nymerik’s approaching presence and enormous shadow alerted those on the fields to his arrival. Even from up high, he could already tell how the people were reacting. He even caught the agitation from the other male dragons through Nymerik, sensing their frustration at the arrival of another competitor easily through their Bond. The people however he knew were looking up with awe at the imposing size of the dragon. Nymerik was over a year old now and still growing. It was a phenomenon that was unusual for dragons. A dragon was fully mature and grown by their first year, they would not grow much bigger afterward. That didn’t mean there weren’t unusual cases, however. If the theory on Princes were considered true, Nymerik would continue to grow until his death, much like the Dragon Gods of old. Nymerik was now one hundred-and-seventy feet. Hyun believed him to be the biggest dragon on the planet, but on catching sight of Priyana after six months, he realized how foolish it was of him to presume so.

Priyana had indeed grown large, just as was foretold by many upon her hatching. At least ten feet larger than Nymerik, she was an impressive sight to behold, especially underneath the sun’s rays after a feeding that seemed to enhance her radiant glow.

‘A vision indeed,’ Nymerik agreed though a bit annoyed at how his flyer was so easily drawn to another dragon's appearance.

Upon their landing, he could already see the small figure of Ralph striding up to them, a deep fury etched across his features. Though he pointed and shouted up at Hyun, he could not make out what the man was saying from the distance between the two. Nymerik, however, did not seem pleased with the man’s approach and treatment of his Bonded, if his warning snarl and teeth-baring expression gave any indication.

Hyun descended quickly, landing nimbly on his feet and moving to greet the man as was tradition.

“Chief Ralph.” He extended his hand in the customary tradition of greeting for flyers. They were to clasp each other’s forearms as both a mutual sign of respect, honor, and acknowledgement.

“What are you doing here? You should be at Bellasea Fortress!” Ralph snarled, slapping away the hand that had been extended towards.

“I heard that Priyana would be flying sometime soon. As a member of Dragonspire Fortress and the flyer of a Prince, it is only natural that I participate.”

The calmness of the boy’s response only served to further enrage the man. Before he could act upon his impulses, whether to strike or continue to berate the boy, Lucian joined the pair.

“Chief Ralph,” Lucian warned, his hand grabbing the rising one of Ralph’s. “He is right. By all traditions and customs, by the Codex itself, he has the right to participate. And before you argue that he was sent to Bellasea and shouldn't be allowed to participate for that reason, I must remind you that he was sent there to train and then return. It seems his training has drawn to an end. He has learned everything he can at Bellasea, it is now time for him to return home to better opportunities.”

Ralph snatched his hand away from the other man, sneering.

“With how you speak, I have no doubt this was your doing Lucian, but by all means,” he acquiesced, spreading his arms wide, “let’s see how well his tired-out dragon performs. Mazanth and I will enjoy stomping out the final bits of training and hope you and that now happily departed fool have placed within this boy.” With one last spiteful look, Ralph strode back to his position amongst the other competitors.

The two watched his retreat quietly before Lucian sighed, turning towards Hyun. “Good to see you back,” he said, extending his hand.

He grasped the forearm of the other firmly. “Congratulations on your new position, General Commander.”

Lucian laughed, clapping the boy’s shoulders. “I’m still getting used to it.” They both glanced down at the shiny gold symbol pinned to his leather uniform, a dragon’s head surrounded by five stars.

“You won’t be competing then. How does Lykanthos feel about it? Or is he uninterested in the whole matter?”

Lucian shrugged, staring out at the distant throng of male dragons. “My bloodline, well, we have a history of being commanders. Warriors. If we can have a position such as this, there is nothing more to wish for. I already feel like I've accomplished my purpose and brought honor to my lineage. Lykanthos feels similarly. We both do not seek anything more in this life.”

Hyun nodded his head in understand, letting the silence take over once more. When it seemed like neither had anything else to say to each other, he finally spoke up. “I confess I feel unprepared for what happens after this. I don’t believe a boy not yet eighteen would truly be accepted by the people. Especially one that comes from the east." In truth, the boy had felt this growing burden since his flight towards Dragonspire. Along with the burden rose a confliction within himself. He hadn't had a chance to find Denali before everything started. He hadn't had a chance to ask her if she would be okay with what was to happen. It brought to mind his quiet promise to himself, how he wouldn't take advantage of her, how he would protect her. The conflict stirred his heart deeply and Nymerik reached out through their Bond, offering comfort though providing no words of advice. He would do as Hyun instructed, no more or less than what was expected from his flyer.

Lucian’s gaze returned towards Hyun, a big hand coming to rest on the boy’s shoulder. He could feel the internal strife within the boy and he pitied him greatly. There wasn't a time where he and Godrick hadn't experienced a sense of guilt at having placed all their expectations on this one boy. It was enough to make anyone buckle under the pressure. But there was a duty to be done and he had to make sure the boy saw through all of the short-term conflicts to the long-term goals ahead. “Experiences are important. Experiences are what shape us, influence us, and serve as a basis for our future actions. Whatever happens in the skies, this will be an experience that will change your life. Now go quickly because she is about to rise!” He ushered the boy quickly to the place with the other competitors.

As Hyun turned to face Nymerik, he could see his dragon gazing up into the sky, deep in thought. The rays of the sun reflected beautifully off his dark scales, showing off its true midnight blue color. Through their Bond, he wished his dragon luck and Nymerik’s amusement echoed back.

'I don't need luck. I need you to focus on what is to come. Make a choice. I can give you time to do so.'

Smiling in acknowledgement, he glanced around at his fellow competitors, familiar with each one of them. Totaling six with him there, he saw Ralph standing in the center, gazing at Priyana with greedy fascination. Then there was Sentinel Levi Keaty, rider of Lkyrth who had traveled with him to Bellasea six months ago and was considered the most accomplished Sentinel at Dragonspire. Sentinel Batir Malikov, rider of Bairdryt who was often found at the stables or barracks. Sentinel Daemones Calvinus, rider of Deorver, often away on missions for the fortress with his squad. Lastly, Sentinel Aaron Romero, rider of Andurress, the second-to-youngest of the contestants, only three years older than Hyun. Of the five WarMasters present, Mazanth was the largest at one-hundred-and-twenty feet. The smallest was Andurress at ninety-four feet. The other three fell between the two sizes. Nymerik was easily larger than them but that was a detractor Hyun noted with a frown. He would not be able to complete high-speed maneuvers or move faster than the smaller dragons. Should Priyana choose to draw it out though, his large pool of stamina would be beneficial.

‘If I hadn’t flown,’ Nymerik reminded him, intruding on his thoughts.

‘Oh hush, you know that flight was nothing for you.’

‘Your faith in me is ever unwavering.'

Before he could respond, there was a collective inhale and the rumbling noise that he had become used to had stopped. No one dared breathe as Priyana, who had long since finished her feast and had simply been careening about to show off her splendid form had finally taken a stance to launch herself into the air. In doing so, this signaled the male dragons to also take a similar stance, watching her every move carefully.

It was only a second, a blink away from missing it. One second the dragons were there, poised to fly, and the next they were gone with loud noises and blasts of wind. While the crowd watching covered their ears against the sound, the six men remained standing unfazed, losing themselves to their Bond with their dragons.

Hyun resided in Nymerik’s mind; his senses were alive with his dragon’s. He could feel the mighty beat of his heart as it pumped in tune to each wing flap. The rush of air as Nymerik inhaled and exhaled. The kiss of the wind against the dragon’s face brought tears to his own physical body. The sight of Priyana filled his vision as she flew ahead, twirling herself to better show off her figure to the chasing males. It was what spurred Andurress ahead of the rest, the smallest dragon being the fastest of the six. The dark-brown scaled dragon may have been faster, but Mazanth was not far behind. His bronze scales glinted underneath the sun, almost blindingly. Lkyrth and Bairdryt followed the two quickly, not wanting the gap to widen between them. It was only Nymerik and Deorver who languished behind. Hyun could not tell if it was the lack of interest in Daemones, Deorver, or both, but he knew that when it came to Nymerik and him, it was entirely his feelings that were influencing his dragon. Nymerik had indeed told him he would give him time to settle his heart and figure out what they should do, but he would not interfere in the decision. Hyun however could sense underneath it all his dragon's ultimate disinterest in the whole matter and it added to his own concerns.

As Priyana continued to lead them on a chase, Andurress had long since been overtaken by Mazanth, the smaller, younger dragon having already used up all his pools of stamina quickly in the beginning. He was soon overtaken by Bairdryt then Lkyrth, his wings struggling to keep him going. Lkyrth was gaining on Mazanth while Bairdryt was beginning to fall off himself, the navy-blue scaled dragon flying lower and lower compared to Lkyrth’s red scaled figure in the distance. Nymerik had maintained his same lazy pace, allowing Deorver’s navy-blue scaled figure to slowly pass him. Priyana, however, was still full of vibrant energy, playfully floating around the chasing males, almost allowing herself to be caught before darting away. Despite being the largest dragon in the sky, she was quite quick. Hyun could not understand this. Her flight should be heavy and slow, not agile.

Andurress finally drifted down, unable to continue flying. His exhaustion seeped through his Bond with Aaron; the man being wrenched from his dragon’s mind as he gasped for breath before running in the direction of where his Bonded had landed.

That was one pair out of the race. Five more to go. Maybe even four soon with Bairdryt’s slowing performance. The cries of the crowd echoed through Nymerik’s ears into his own. How his dragon could hear it so high up, he did not know. He was lost in the other’s senses, unsure of what his own body was doing. He struggled to keep track of what was happening. With Deorver’s performance, or lack thereof, and Nymerik’s position in last, it was between Mazanth and Lkyrth currently. The red dragon had closed the gap between himself and Mazanth, much to the bigger dragon’s annoyance. Priyana, sensing the rivalry between the two, danced between the pair, stoking their competitive flames. Bairdryt had finally succumbed to his inevitable exhaustion, landing down on the field. Out of the corner of Hyun’s eye, he could see Batir’s frustrated face as he broke contact with his dragon. Instead of chasing after him like Aaron had with his dragon, Batir turned and strode away, shouting at people to get out of his way.

Priyana turned on the two males in the lead, making her way to the trailing pair behind. She danced around Deorver, twisting and contorting her body around his. Deorver made a half-hearted attempt to reach her, but with her swiftness and his seemingly lack of interest, the two made no connection. If this interaction gave any indication, Deorver would not be flying Priyana this time. Priyana went past the navy-blue dragon and floated around Nymerik. He made no move for her however, did not change his pace, nor gave any indication of his own feelings though he could feel Hyun’s blooming with excitement through their Bond. Nymerik knew he would instinctively want to fly with Priyana above all else in the present moment, but he would not lose himself to his base instincts. He had purposefully avoided using any additional energy, conserving his strength from the beginning of his flight until now. His plan to give Hyun time to decide would not be ruined over Priyana’s teasing.

The Queen brushed against him lightly and Hyun felt something stir within himself as the need in Nymerik grew. He felt something growing inside him too. A want that seemed to consume him, a passion that seemed to grow. Hyun was a teenage boy; he wasn’t unused to desire. He had never acted upon it however and was relatively inexperienced when it came down to it. Flying a dragon, however, opened you up to heights of pleasure that no other being could experience. Your senses were not only alight by your own actions, but that of your dragon’s. The double onslaught of pleasure was said to be addictive. Hyun knew that flyers would often enact upon their passions, heedless of who the individual was, when their dragons flew together. It was common and generally accepte. After all, you cannot dictate who your dragon flies when they do so upon instinct. Not in all cases though. There were those who were able to exert an iron will over themselves and prevent the passion of their dragons from affecting themselves. Sibilla and Ralph were a fitting example of this and if Nymerik flew Priyana, he too would be another example. He would not share Denali’s bed without her consent even if a part of him longed to. Nymerik felt Hyun’s decisions and feelings, the hesitance and confusion, want and desire. The dragon did not know which to go for, what to do.

Priyana soon grew bored with the passive nature of Nymerik and sped forward once more, flying past the two in front that had circled back. While Mazanth turned back to follow her once more, Lkyrth did not.

Though the red dragon had done his best to match Mazanth, he too could not maintain the stamina of the long flight. Priyana was doing her best to wear down all her suitors and was doing so successfully. With Lkyrth out of the running, there was no one to really challenge Mazanth. The bronze dragon knew that the two behind him had done little to participate in the chase and he exhibited no true signs of worry. Deorver would eventually give up his half-hearted attempt at maintaining appearances and that would just leave Nymerik. Indeed, soon after Lkyrth’s withdrawal from the race, Deorver also descended. Hyun glimpsed the subtle disappointment on Levi's face and how Daemones’s remained impassive. The two exchanged a look before walking off in separate directions. Levi had clearly been interested in winning and Hyun could admit that if he wasn’t competing himself, he would be happy to see Levi become the new Chief. But it seemed that this flight would not be Levi’s and Lkyrth’s moment. Daemones, however, gave no indication of his goals or what his thoughts were. His impassive nature often drew criticism and assumptions, but he never responded to them. Hyun didn’t know why he and Deorver would compete if the pair seemed so disinterested in the matter, but he would make sure to find out later.

For now, he refocused his attention on the flight, his mind merging perfectly again with Nymerik’s.

With only two dragons left in the run, many watched Mazanth over Nymerik. Though Nymerik left those who beheld him amazed, his docile nature in this flight had led him to be the more uninteresting of the pair. People wanted to view passion and intense close calls, a fierce competition that invoked a sense of awe and wonder much like what had occurred at the Enthronement. If there wasn’t any real competition, it would become a boring, even if the dragons participating were spectacular, sight.

Priyana had begun to slow down, reaching her own limits. Her twists and turns had used up her stamina pool faster than if she had simply flown straight, dodging every now and then as necessary. She could feel Mazanth closing in on her slowly from behind as she continued to lose speed, but Denali’s presence in her mind screamed at her to not be caught by the bronze, to move faster if just for a bit longer. Priyana heard her, wanted to do what her Bonded said, but couldn’t. She was lost to her senses, even more so with her tired body demanding her to land soon. Besides, Mazanth had proven himself to be a fierce dragon, outlasting most of his other competitors and still having energy to spare. He was an excellent dragon by all accounts and to Priyana, that’s all that should matter when it came to selecting a mate.

Yet, a part of her also was intrigued by the dark Prince flying lazily behind the pair. His calm, lazy demeanor throughout the entire race was by all accounts disrespectful, especially when she had purposefully flown close to him, even touching him. But it was also attractive to her, for some reason. She knew him to be a dragon of immense power and therefore a worthy mate with whom she would have many good, strong clutches with. That’s all that mattered at the end of the day. Her job, as the reigning Queen, was to produce large clutches full of powerful dragons. Either of the two she knew would be able to give her this, so did it just come down to preference? Who did she prefer then? The experienced bronze or the rising black?

Then the crowd screamed.

Nymerik’s pace had accelerated suddenly, out of nowhere. No longer was the dragon lazily beating his wings, he flew with a purpose, an intensity that ensnared the audience. An elegance not unbecoming of royalty they would say later. Hyun was overwhelmed at the change, the Bond surrounding him in all directions. The speed of the flight and the emotions building within beat inside of him. He gasped, physically clutching his chest as they soared past a slowing Mazanth. Priyana was within his reach and Hyun knew that if Nymerik willed it right now, he would have her. The Queen had slowed down considerably. To the onlookers, it looked like she had finally exhausted herself, but Hyun knew that she was debating her options. Which of the two should she let catch her?

Nymerik had seemed to make the decision for her. For Hyun.

Having saved his energy through most of the chase, he had waited for his competitors to fall one by one. An unwavering belief in himself that he could still catch up no matter how far ahead they had gotten. While they had battled each other, they had wasted their energy, including Mazanth. On the final stretch when one needed the energy to burst, Mazanth struggled while Nymerik soared.

This was it.

Priyana turned, wings and limbs spread. She had dropped, placing herself below Nymerik.

Should he dive, she was his.

Nymerik folded his wings and plummeted, going for the kill. The promise the pair had made to each other echoed in both their minds. This was their moment to snatch victory from Ralph and Mazanth, to take over and usher in a new era. In the distance, Mazanth’s roar could be heard over the din of the audience watching this sudden change of events.

But Hyun’s thoughts on not wanting to claim Denali against her will and his sudden hesitation on what was about to happen pulled on Nymerik like a tight leash. So close to touching her, Nymerik barrel-rolled away, his roaring.

‘Make up your mind!’ He was wrestling with the boy now for control over their actions. It was perfect, they had been in agreement with their promise flooding between them both, now Nymerik felt the chaotic turmoil within his flyer and he hesitated.

That hesitation was enough. It was too late for anything else now.

Mazanth had used what little energy remained to catch up to the slowing pair and he seized the moment that Nymerik had given away. He crashed into Priyana, the two tangling themselves together as the flight reached a culmination. In the distance, many would say they had heard a scream emitting from Denali’s room, whether of passion or anger, no one could say. Ralph had long since disappeared and many who had watched him depart had an inkling of where he had gone, and of how the scream might be in connection with him.

It was official, Ralph would remain Chief of Dragonspire Fortress until the next flight or the birth and rise of a new Queen.

Hyun tore away from Nymerik’s senses, the Bond fluctuating between the two as they continued to fight for control of it, their wills and emotions clashing against each other.

‘Why did you stop me?’ Nymerk's confusion and annoyance was palpable through their Bond.

‘It didn’t feel right,’ he replied numbly, the uncertainty in himself ringing loud and clear between the two.

‘You threw away our chance, perhaps our only chance. This was the reason why we came here. What you had promised. I thought you wanted to prevent that man from succeeding.’

He could feel the disappointment in Nymerik. He was disappointed in himself too. He wondered what Godrick would have said if he had witnessed what had just occurred. Hyun stared off into the distance, a thousand blurry thoughts streaking through his mind. One stood out, clearer than the rest.

Why?

Because of her.

*~*

Denali woke slowly in her bed. She barely recalled being led to her room by Gina and standing on the balcony, her mind at the time fully entwined with Priyana. She had felt everything. The rush and exhilaration of the flight and the sensual teasing display Priyana had put on. She remembered the surprise she felt upon seeing Nymerik in the back and then a sense of eagerness at realizing Hyun was here. She had hoped fervently that it was Nymerik who would fly Priyana, and, to her joy, it had happened. Or nearly had happened. Just as Nymerik was within reach, he had slipped away and instead she had felt the sudden impact of Mazanth crashing into Priyana.

“No!” she screamed out as both pain and pleasure racked through her body. Then she had lost herself to the onslaught of pure, carnal pleasure.

A desire arose in her, a combination of Priyana’s and herself. She didn’t know who was the person that had grabbed her arm, kissed her sharply, and led her to the bed. She wasn’t fully aware of the shedding of her clothes. But what she did become aware of was a sudden pain, a stabbing one deep within her and then it was brushed away as the pleasure her dragon experienced washed over and amplified her own, soothing the initial pain and burning sensation from below.

Suddenly, Denali understood. She clutched the sheets to her naked form, understanding that the soreness she was experiencing and the stickiness between her legs was not just because of Priyana, but because someone had…someone had taken advantage of her while she had been lost in the throes of passion. Her face drained of color as she realized that the only person who would dare, could possibly do so, would be…

“Ralph,” she whispered, her voice full of hate. A cold fury settled in her as she glanced to her side. He was not in her bed, thankfully. She feared what she would have done to him had he been. She felt dirty and disgusted with herself. Shakily, she called for Gina but there was no reply. She called for any of her other ladies but there was still nothing. She climbed out of bed, wincing at the sharp pain between her legs and the sudden coldness she felt as she left the warmth of her bed. She didn’t look at the bloody sheets, tossing her blanket over it to hide the disgusting sight.

Judging by the sun’s setting form, she had slept nearly the entire day away. At least she hoped that was the case. Gingerly she made her way to the steaming bath and climbed in. She began to furiously scrub at her skin, leaving it raw and red but she didn’t care. She knew this feeling of dirtiness she felt would not be erased from the outside. Denali had only ever once known this feeling, a feeling that had been imprinted onto her very soul. It was an unforgettable feeling. A deep violation of her being. When she was younger and powerless, in the hands of those who used her, abused her, she had endured this humiliation by the ones she was supposed to call family. While most had beat and berated her, only one had ever gone so far as to take advantage of her like this.

The surfacing memory and heaviness of what occurred weighed her down and she felt sobs begin to escape her body. Tears flowing freely, she let go of the sponge, instead curling in upon herself, wrapping her arms protectively around her body.

“Ralph, I’ll kill you. I swear, I’ll kill you!” she cried out, her own pain-filled voice echoing back to her in the darkening chamber.